So you’re going on a Disney vacation? Well then here are some things that I have gathered from the numerous times I have been there, some of these things will be helpful tips or simple reminders.
One: Pack Responsibly
Pack for how many days you are going to be there and for any dinners you’re going to. Also it doesn’t hurt to pack an extra set of clothes in case of something either does not match or if the weather changes. Also be sure to pack portable chargers, extra sunscreen (let’s face it you’re going to need more than one if you follow the directions and reapply it every two hours), camera batteries, and ponchos (because yet again let’s face it, rain just seems to pop up out of nowhere sometimes and Disney over charges for their ponchos).
Two: Take Advantage of the Fast Pass
Three: Invest in Disney gift cards
This was passed on to me by one of my family members and I'm so happy that I was told about this little hack if you will. Buying Disney gift card much to some disbelief does not limit you to just the store. If you read the fine print on the card that is attached to your actual gift card it says that it is redeemable at: Disney World, Disney Land, Disney Cruise Lines, and Disney Stores. And the nice thing is you can recharge them; all you have to do is call your bank to put more money on it when you want. It also helps when you're on the go and need something to snack on and don’t have time to dig for money in your wallet.
Four: Meet the Characters
It doesn’t matter how old you are, but there's something about when you see a certain character that takes you back to when you were a kid and you’re meeting your hero in sense all over again. Just because this might be your fiftieth time being there, don’t be ashamed in getting someones autograph because I can tell you its still one of the coolest feelings asking and interacting with them while they sign your book.
Five: Rest every now and then
No one is going to kill you if you want to sit down for five minutes or if you want to go back to the room for some R&R. But if you find yourself not wanting to leave the parks or because someone wants to meet someone or theres a ride/show you’re waiting to ride/see, find some place cool and dark. A personal favorite of mine when I need a break is The Hall of Presidents, its dark, cool, and you can get few minutes’ worth of sleep in there. Take your pick, there's a bunch of places you can relax.
Six: Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
Florida, no matter what season, can get pretty hot. And if you are not hydrating yourself, you could really hurt your body. So always have extra water bottles, buy the cups; yes, it might cost you a couple more bucks, but with this you can refill them whenever you need to. I have seen people have to be taken to first aid for dehydration and it's not the prettiest sight.
Seven: Don’t be afraid to be a kid again
That’s what is Disney World is all about. Allow yourself to disconnect from the adult world and take yourself to when you were a kid and you believed in magic and fairytales. There's this Disney magic that when you are there you really just feel like that five-year-old that is meeting her favorite princess/character. Even now as a twenty-one year old, I still get excited when I hear we’re going back, and when I take that first step into the parks I don’t feel like I'm a twenty-one-year-old. I feel like I'm a kid. Don’t be afraid to interact with the characters, buy the silly things, take all the photos you want.
Eight: You don’t always have to watch the parades
I actually think you can see them once or twice and that’s about it. Because while all of these parades and fireworks are happening, you have to realize the lines for rides are going to be shorter than usual because all of the families are sitting out on the walk ways with their kids. This means that some rides that seemed crowed before, like the Haunted Mansion, is now clear, and all you have to do is find a way around everyone and their mother and strollers, but it’ll be worth it when you are getting on the ride quicker than you would if there was no parade or firework show.
